Shelburne County to welcome “The Love Chromosome” on Aug. 15

Brother and sister inspire despite challenges

Julie and Derrick Tennant will speak in Shelburne County on Aug. 15. Julie was born with Down Syndrome. Derrick was an aspiring athlete who suffered an unexplained bleed in his brain more than 20 years ago. He slipped into a coma for three days and remains paralyzed on his left side.

On Friday, August 15 at 6:30 pm, First Ragged Islands Baptist Church will present “The Love Chromosome”.

The program features brother and sister motivational speakers Derrick and Julie Tennant. Julie Tennant was born with Down Syndrome. Derrick was an aspiring athlete who suffered an unexplained bleed in his brain more than 20 years ago. He slipped into a coma for three days and was left paralyzed. Derrick spent years in a wheelchair, relearning the most basic skills – speech, walking, and those tasks most adults take for granted every day, like the ability to dress himself. He remains paralyzed on his left side, but has managed not only to walk, but returned to playing competitive sports. He’s also a stand-up comic who occasionally performs one-armed magic shows. Derrick and Julie work together and talk to groups about overcoming obstacles and going through life with laughter and love in spite of the challenges everyone faces in their daily lives.

Their motto is “I love my life” and they use humour to inspire people to see obstacles as opportunities. For more information on Derrick and Julie and what they do, visit www.thelovechromosome.com.

Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door. For advance tickets, contact Pastor Melvin Wheaton at 656-2242. All proceeds from this event will support Shelburne County Special Olympics. First Ragged Islands Baptist Church is located at 3154 Highway 3 on the Lockeport Loop.

Julie and Derrick Tennant will speak in Shelburne County on Aug. 15. Julie was born with Down Syndrome. Derrick was an aspiring athlete who suffered an unexplained bleed in his brain more than 20 years ago. He slipped into a coma for three days and remains paralyzed on his left side.